POLICE are investigating after graffiti was daubed on the Town Hall wall in King Square, Barry, some time over the weekend of November 30 and December 1.

A ‘tag’ was scrawled on the Bath stone brick work, near Central Park, and viewed by members of public in the town centre.

The Vale council reported the incident to police around 11.30am on Monday, December 2 and removed the graffiti from the iconic grade II-listed premises.

The Victorian building, which also houses the library, the art central gallery, had fallen into disrepair, but was renovated in 2005 with the help of a £9.2m development grant.

Barry Town Council (BTC) is re-locating its offices to the premises, from it’s Gladstone Road base.

Commenting on the vandalism, BTC Cllr Shirley Hodges, who viewed the damage, said: “I'm disappointed.

“I will be raising the issue with local police at our next meeting.

“Graffiti brings an area down makes it look scruffy and unloved.

“Barry Town Hall and King Square recently saw hundreds of visitors flock to see Nessa switch on the Christmas lights.

“This petty vandalism spoils it for everyone.”

Resident John Moore said: “I think it's a truly deplorable and disrespectful act on one of our town's most cherished buildings.

“Those responsible should be ashamed of themselves.”

A Vale of Glamorgan Council spokesman said: “The council has removed this graffiti and, as with every incident of anti-social behaviour, the matter has been reported to the police.

“Unfortunately, this is not the first recent case of vandalism on what is a Grade II-listed building and we would encourage anyone with information about such incidents to contact the police.”

A South Wales Police spokesman confirmed they had received a report of damage.

He said: “Police in Barry are investigating an incident of graffiti on the wall of the library near the entrance to Central Park."

Anyone with any information is asked to contact South Wales Police on 101 and quote reference 1900443847.